Statement of Expectations

The Western Australian Government depends on a growing economy to fund its services and provide support to the community.

Western Australian Departments and their officers are expected to recognise that, while their individual statutory responsibilities may differ, they all form part of a framework which aims to deliver responsible development in an efficient and timely way.

Regulation is the way we avoid and minimise adverse impacts on environment, heritage, worker safety, Aboriginal rights and interests, the interests of other businesses, users or landowners and community safety and amenity. However, the Western Australian Government knows that the cumulative impact of this regulation, can be time consuming and costly for business.

We have a mutual obligation to continuously improve a regulatory system that is evidence based, transparent, predictable, timely and efficient. To assist the continual improvement of this regulatory system, proponents also have obligations which will be set out in a separate statement of expectations.

Officers in every Department will continue to assist proponents in a courteous and practical way. All Departments must act as ‘one Government’ that enhances Western Australia’s reputation as a great place to do business.

Practically, Departments should:

• provide case management support to proponents consistent with the Lead Agency Framework
• ensure proponents are well informed about all aspects of the approvals process before they formally start this process – for example, through pre-lodgement meetings
• determine timelines between agencies for the provision of advice and approvals to proponents
• be consistent in decision making and provide clear explanations
• prevent duplication of approval conditions set on a project
• avoid requests for additional information unless they are material to the outcome
• facilitate parallel approvals processing
• inform proponents on community and stakeholder consultation requirements
• keep proponents well informed of progress
• work with agencies to ensure relevant information is shared seamlessly between Departments (including Commonwealth and local authorities)
• seek and listen to constructive feedback from proponents
• ensure regulatory capability and capacity is sufficient to deliver good regulatory outcomes in a timely manner

Departments are expected to work collaboratively to process all approvals, including
secondary approvals, quickly and efficiently so that Government decisions can be put into effect.

Community confidence in regulation is very important. Departments should make their
compliance activities as transparent as practical, including publishing compliance information online.

Balancing economic development and job creation with other community expectations is challenging. Government is responsible and accountable for getting the balance right.

The Western Australian Government is committed to reviewing its laws and
regulations so they are contemporary, effective and risk based and to pursuing the
digital transformation of the public sector.

Regulation is the way our community avoids and minimises adverse impacts on the
environment, heritage, worker safety, Aboriginal rights and interests, the interests of
other businesses or landowners, and community safety and amenity.

The Western Australian Government knows the cumulative impact of regulation can
be time consuming and costly for business. Together we can continuously improve
our regulatory system so that is evidenced based, transparent, predictable, timely and
efficient.

A robust regulatory framework that balances competing objectives builds community
and investor confidence. Features of such a framework are:

• transparency and consistency
• opportunities for community input
• evidence based decision making
• independence from influence.

Proponents can assist in the approvals and regulation process by:

• working cooperatively with agencies to scope your approvals requirements and assessment process prior to the process commencing
• undertaking thorough community engagement about the proposal where that is a requirement of the process
• clarifying regulator expectations and timelines before you enter the process – the provision of good quality and relevant information with your application is essential to an efficient regulatory framework
• choosing experienced consultants familiar with the approvals your project requires
• understanding Government officers manage multiple and competing priorities
• elevating concerns within the relevant agency where unresolved issues could impact progress
• keeping agencies informed about changes to proposals, late changes can cause significantly delay
• seeking and listening to advice from regulators and responding to reasonable requests for more information
• offering constructive feedback to Departments
• meeting compliance requirements and honouring all commitments

An efficient and effective regulatory framework can protect proponents as well as
serve the broader public interest. Without it, the potential adverse effects of a
development could expose proponents to community agitation, legal action, or
reputational damage.